Oregon bicycle owners beware!

[SadieKate]

Then I have two bikes and he has three others rideable.

Wuss. You aren't even trying.

[Aggie_Ama]

Wuss. You aren't even trying.

I am completely open to expanding the fleet. My checkbook laughs at my imagination.

[Susan Otcenas]

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Primary Contact:
Karl Rohde
Government Relations and Public Affairs Director
(503) 226-0676 x12
(503) 866-8222
karl@bta4bikes.org

BTA OPPOSES PROPOSED BICYCLE REGISTRATION BILL

March 9, 2009 - The Bicycle Transportation Alliance opposes bicycle registration and other
annual fees on bicycle ownership because:
• The net revenue realized would not contribute significantly to the construction and
maintenance of roads and the ancillary facilities necessary for complete streets,
• The cost of registration would discourage bicycling – a clean, healthy and sustainable
transportation alternative, and
• Bicyclists already pay more than their share of road costs through other taxes.
Past efforts to require bicycle registration and the experience of other communities have
demonstrated that the net proceeds, after deducting the administrative costs, of bicycle
registration programs are minimal. Discussions of these proposals during prior legislative
sessions have demonstrated that bicycle registration is not a viable method for funding
transportation facilities. Most other states and communities with registration programs have
discontinued them for this reason.
Bicycling provides a clean, healthy and sustainable alternative mode of transportation. The costs
of providing facilities to accommodate and encourage bicycling are minimal in comparison to
the value derived by reducing the impacts of our present reliance on motor vehicles for
transportation. Rather than discouraging bicycling by requiring cyclists to pay even more of the
costs imposed by motor vehicle operation, policy makers should be exploring ways to make
bicycling safer, more convenient, and accessible for all citizens.
Many proponents of bicycle registration hold the erroneous perception that motor vehicle
operators pay the costs of their use of the transportation system through gas taxes and that
bicyclists do not pay their fair share of road construction and maintenance costs. In fact, the gas
taxes paid by motorists are not sufficient to pay these costs. Property taxes and a variety of other
fees that are levied without respect to the mode of transportation used by the taxpayer provide
the balance of the road construction and maintenance funds. Bicyclists actually contribute more
through these fees than the costs attributable to their use of the transportation system.
The Bicycle Transportation Alliance is a statewide non-profit organization that works to open
minds and roads to bicycling. We represent bicyclists and the bicycle industry with over 5000
members in Oregon and SW Washington, and have seventeen years of experience in bicycle
engineering, planning, education and advocacy.
- END -

[Tri Girl]

What a crazy idea! The manpower to process/upkeep all that paperwork alone would cost the state ten times more than the money they would make in fees. Seriously, that's a ridiculous notion. It would discourage a lot of people from riding, I think, causing more cars on the road (why bike when a car tag costs the same?). Hmmmm...

Our car tags are usually in the $300 range new, and it goes down every year by a little. I'm still paying $80/yr for my 8 year old car. I would die if I had to pay $50 per bike every year. It would make me cranky (or crankier).

[Tuckervill]

That press release answered my question. Thank you!

I wanted to say that in Arkansas, the vehicle registration is $25, but we pay annual personal property taxes separately, based on the value of the vehicle, as well. It's just lumped in with other property, so it doesn't feel like a fee on the vehicle. We also pay personal property taxes on the furniture in our house, too.

Karen

[Aint Doody]

Susan, thanks for posting the press release. As I said, I've emailed those sponsoring the bill as well as my local state rep. I don't think it'll go anywhere, but we still have to be vigilant as was stated in another post.

People in our bike club want them to add skateboards, wheelchairs, shoes with the little wheels, and just plain old shoes! I think that just points up the absurdity of the whole idea.

[GLC1968]

People in our bike club want them to add skateboards, wheelchairs, shoes with the little wheels, and just plain old shoes! I think that just points up the absurdity of the whole idea.

Don't forget baby strollers and those jogger things!

[sundial]

We also pay personal property taxes on the furniture in our house, too.

Yeah, isn't that dumb? I just hope Arkansas doesn't get tax happy here pretty soon. I have a feeling though the farmers are about to get creamed.